Farah bids to emulate Bekele, Bolt returns

MOSCOW: Britain’s Mo Farah will bid to become the second man to achieve the double of the world and Olympics 5000 and 10000 meters titles while Usain Bolt begins his defense of the 200m on Friday (Saturday in Manila) at the World Athletics Championships.

Farah, who won an emotional double gold at the Olympics last year in the Somalia-born athlete’s adopted home city of London, produced a courageous display to win the 10000m last Saturday and starts firm favorite to defend his 5000m title.

If successful he will emulate Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele’s double in 2009, which followed his victories in the 2008 Olympic Games.

“It’s going to be a demanding race and I need as much energy as possible to have the reserves when the final kick comes,” said the 30-year-old.

Farah, whose post 10000m race rubdown had to be improvised under a tree outside the stadium as security men would not allow him into the official area, said people shouldn’t regard victory was his for the taking.

“I was getting texts from people just saying go and do it,” said Farah.

His chief opponents should be Kenyan duo Edwin Soi, the only athlete to beat Farah at the distance this year, and Olympic bronze medalist Thomas Longosiwa.

Bolt has kept a low profile since he powered to victory in Sunday’s 100m final, regaining the title he lost when he was disqualified for a false start in Daegu two years ago.

The 26-year-old, world record holder in both the 100 and 200m, made up for that blip by retaining his 200m crown and there appears to be little in the way of opposition in barring his way to a third title in Moscow.
AFP